Venipuncture HQ

Phlebotomy Study Guide

KEXU2000 — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:51:51 +0000

Taking training classes in Phlebotomy is an integral part of a Phlebotomist’s development path. A competent Phlebotomist should strive to take continuing education and training to improve his/her day-to-day work skills. Besides making you a better technician, additional training would improve your marketability and possible future salary. For people interested in becoming a Phlebotomist, successfully passing the national certification exam could be critical to getting your first job in the field. So whether you are working towards acing the Phlebotomy Certification exam or just trying to improve your clinical Phlebotomy skills, having good study guides can greatly assist you in your efforts.

Phlebotomy study guides can usually be broken down into 2 broad categories:

Study guides issued during training courses to help students pass the Certification Exam
Continuing education/Certification Maintenance study guides for currently working Phlebotomists with certifications

Certification Exam Study Guides

Most nationally accredited Phlebotomy Certification exams follow one of two standards: the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) or the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). So most study guides for students starting out in Phlebotomy training are based on guidelines from these 2 institutions. However, you should keep in mind that the actual study guide materials will vary between each of the 4 major Certification Exam Agencies.

1. The American Certification Agency can mail you 3 different options depending on price:

Phlebotomy Review manual with exam topics and outline
Review Manual with practice quiz and answer sheets
Spanish version of Manual with quiz and answer sheets

2. The American Society for Clinical Pathology will give you(for a small fee) access to many online study guide resources including:

Suggested readings
Exam content breakdown
Practice tests
Study Guide review sections

3. The National Center for Competency Testing allows you to individually purchase online and download the following study guide resources:

Exam review guide
Practice Tests
Exam Sections Breakdown

4. The American Medical Technologists Agency gives you the following online resources:

Student membership account with online study guides, exam outline, and recommended reading list.
A practice exam for a fee

Aside from the study guides from the major national certification agencies, there are numerous 3rd party study guides that you can purchase to help you pass that exam with flying colors! Here are some of the more popular study guides:

Phlebotomy Exam Review (3rd edition), written by Ruth E. McCall and Cathee M. Tankersley
Phlebotomy Exam Secrets, published by Mometrix Media
Phlebotomy Simplified, written by Kathleen Becan-McBride and Diana Garza

Continuing education/Certification Maintenance Study Guides

Some states such as California requires that Phlebotomists get continuing education and extra training to maintain certification. However, even when the State does not require it, continuing education keeps a working Phlebotomist up to date with the latest techniques and technologies, thus making him/her that much more employable.

While there are many schools offering Phlebotomy continuing education training, you should make sure to only take the training recoginzed by the Certification Agency where you went to take your certification exam. Taking courses that are not nationally recognized and accredited will be a waste of time and resources for you. Additionally, because different states have different Phlebotomy continuing education requirements, you should make sure that the additional certification maintenance coursework that you take is compliant with the regulations of your state. With that said here are some continuing education resources offered by the 4 major national certification agencies:

A Career in Phlebotomy

KEXU2000 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:12:32 +0000

Working in Phlebotomy can be an exciting and rewarding career move. This fast growing medical industry offers many incentives for those just starting out in their careers. Moreover this field is relatively easy to transition into if you are looking for a major career change.

Advantages of choosing Phlebotomy

Minimal entry requirements, easy to get your foot into the door
Requires only a few weeks to a few months of course work
Relatively inexpensive to get professionally certified
Many hospitals provide additional on-the-job training
Good salary and benefits

A fast growing Job Market

The medical industry is one of the fasted growing job sectors in America today. Because venipuncture, the drawing of blood, is such an important part of a doctor’s diagnosis process, the employment opportunities for Phlebotomists are abundant and growing. The department of labor estimates that the number of Phlebotomists needed nationwide will grow 14% by 2018. In fact there are many Phlebotomy job openings across the country right now!

The field of Phlebotomy, while rewarding and lucrative in it’s own right, can also be an opening into obtaining other skills in the broader Medical industry. Many Phlebotomists have expanded their knowledge to become Nurses, Radiation technicians, occupational therapists and more. Thus Phlebotomist training is a great beginning to a solid career in the Healthcare field.

Minimum Qualifications

It it not difficult to begin Phlebotomy training. Here are some minimum requirements needed before beginning a Phlebotomy training course in any state:

Have a TB Screening with Negative results
Get vaccinated against Hepatitis
Have a Clean Criminal History Record
Have a High School Degree or GED equivalent

In certain states extra qualification is necessary to get into this field:

In Louisiana and California, you must take training courses, demonstrate clinical skills, and pass a certification test to begin your career.
In California, Louisiana, and Nevada, you must take extended Phlebotomy training courses
In Nevada you must have a lab assistant certificate to legally draw blood.

Skills you will learn

As a phlebotomist, you must be able to effectively communicate with patients and families. Additionally, the ability to update your knowledge and learn new techniques along with good hand-to-eye coordination are necessary traits of a successful Phlebotomist. As your training progresses, you will need to gain competency in the following critical skillsets:

Communication and explanation of procedures to patients
Working knowledge of Human Anatomy, especially the circulatory system
Various methods of obtaining blood samples from infants and children
Specimen labeling, transporting, and preservation
Techniques for drawing blood from capillaries, veins, and arteries
Methods to ensure patient safety
Using the correct vial or container and in the proper order for specific tests
Techniques to calm the patient during the extraction process
Handling and disposal of biohazardous waste

Phlebotomy Certification Training

You can work as a Phlebotomist in many states without acquiring a nationally recognized Phlebotomy Certification. However, if you are just starting out, please note that getting training that conforms to the strict national standards set by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) will ensure you get the most recognized education credentials in your area of expertise. This would make your skills that much more marketable. In some areas, you can also get a professional phlebotomy certification via the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification.

If you are already working as a Phlebotomist without any formal training, it is not too late to get a nationally recognized certificate online. Please note that an online certification requires patient contact. Thus you need to be already working to take this training path. Getting certified, even if it is not required in your state, will greatly increase your marketability, knowledge, and professionalism of patient care.

What is Venipuncture?

KEXU2000 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:05:22 +0000

Venipuncture, also called venepuncture or venopuncture, is the process of drawing blood via intravenous access. Venipuncture is one of the most common invasive medical procedures. It is carried out for two reasons, to get blood for a medical diagnosis or to monitor blood component levels. Blood analysis is an extremely important diagnostic tool in clinical healthcare. The data of such blood samples is relied upon to interpret a range of clinical signs and symptoms. So a good Phelobotomist must develop excellent venipuncture skills to facilitate in the timely treatment of patients.

Common Venipuncture Techniques

In patients who are obese or have dark skin, it may be very difficult to see or feel for the presence of a vein. You should use a penlight next to the skin. Under that intense light, the vein should show up in red.
When searching for the vein, make sure to clearly identify whether it has a pulse. If it has a pulse, then it is an artery and not a vein and you should avoid it. You should also avoid veins with valves as this complicates the blood extraction process.
For young patients, Lidocaine Iontophoresis is an effective method for reducing pain and alleviating distress during venipuncture. However you must still make every effort to relax and calm the children such that they are not unduly frightened by the needle and harm themselves during the extraction process.
Avoid performing Venipuncture on an arm with an IV attached. Also avoid the arm on the side of the body which has recently received a mastectomy.

Common Venipuncture Extraction Tools

For patients with normal veins, you should use the Evacuated Tube method of blood collection. The tubes in which blood is transported back to the laboratory contain a variety of additives or none at all. It is important to know which tube the individual laboratory requires for which test as reagents vary between laboratories and may be affected by different additives.
Some health care workers use the syringe-needle technique for drawing blood. This is a preferred technique for overweight patients, elderly patients, badly burnt patients, oncology patients, and patients with fragile veins. Since the syringes are operated by hand, it is relatively easy to control the amount of suction applied. This is very useful for patients with small veins that cannot hold up to the suction power of an evacuated tube.
A butterfly needle is used to draw blood from some patients with small or fragile veins. A butterfly needle is inserted into the vein until blood returns, then it’s small plastic wings are taped down while the blood is drawn out via a small plastic tube. This method can be less painful than both the Evacuated Tube and Syringe-Needle methods.

Common Venipuncture Complications

Bruising is a very common Venipuncture Complication. When drawing blood from the vein, a small amount of blood is leaked into the surrounding tissues. This causes some temporary discoloration and usually resolves itself within a few days.
Sometimes, the inserted needle hits a nerve. This causes the patient to experience a painful burning sensation. You should quickly withdraw the needle and find another location. The painful sensations would usually subside within several minutes.
Some patients may have an extreme phobia to the needle. You should carefully review the patient’s past venipuncture history and cautiously proceed to draw blood in a manner that is relatively calm and relaxing to the patient.
Patients with fragile veins may experience a vein blow. This occurs when you draw blood from a fragile vein, and it leaks a large amount of blood. This can cause significant bruising and swelling of the extraction site. You should quickly remove the needle, disinfect and treat the site. Then you should proceed to find another extraction location.

Phlebotomy Certification Exam

KEXU2000 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 03:01:24 +0000

Getting a Phlebotomy Certification is essential to obtaining a good Phlebotomist position. The certification improves not just your professionalism and knowledge base, it also dramatically increases your marketability in the eyes of an employer. To get this certification, you must complete a Phlebotomy Certification Exam. While there many organizations that claim to certify phlebotomists, not all are reputable. Many of these organizations do not teach according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), or are not in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Before investing your time and money on a certification exam, make sure that you will be taking the exam from one of the 4 Nationally recognized organizations listed below.

Nationally Recognized Phlebotomy Certification Agencies:

The Exam is composed of 2 parts: a written exam and a clinical demonstration exam. The Clinical Demonstration Exam will last for about 1 hour while the Written Portion of the Exam usually lasts 2 hours.

If you are taking Phlebotomy training courses, your coursework reference materials should include topics covered by the exam as well as study guides to help you prepare for this test. If you are currently working as a Phlebotomist without certification, and you wish to take the certification exam without enrolling in training courses, then you should purchase the necessary exam study guides at the very minimum. You should also take several free online practice tests in order to sharpen your test-taking skills.

To take the real exam you must first register for the test. There is usually a small registration fee of between 50-100 dollars required. Additionally you will usually need to provide a valid form of identification such as your social security card and/or a driver’s license. When taking both the written and clinical tests, it is very important to remain calm and answer the questions at an even pace. Rushing to answer questions will inevitably result in mistakes. If you fail the test, you will have opportunities to retake it. Of course, you would have the pay a registration fee for each attempt at the test. So you should do your absolute best to pass the exam on the first try.

The following sets of skills and competencies will usually be covered in the Phlebotomy Certification Exam:

General Medical Knowledge:

Medical terminology and legal abbreviations
Laboratory personnel roles
Job stress management techniques
Medical laws and ethics
Medical malpractice laws
Basic functions of body systems
Knowledge of the veins and arteries in the hands, arms, and feet
Knowledge of capillary, venous, and arterial blood
Constituents of the blood
Differences between plasma, serum, and whole blood
Knowledge of Sanitation and Sterilization maintenance techniques
Knowledge of OSHA Standards
Knowledge of MSDS Standards
Knowledge of Microbe Transmission and prevention techniques
Biohazardous Materials labeling and disposal techniques
Infection control and isolation techniques

Phlebotomy Knowledge:

Knowledge of patient blood drawing instructions
Competency in related medical computer systems
Knowledge of Phlebotomy complications
Transportation of blood sample specimens
Knowledge of Errors that can happen when collecting, transporting, and processing blood samples
Knowledge of additives used in blood drawing
Knowledge of Color Codes in Blood Collection tubes
Identify correct equipment for a venipuncture, an arterial puncture, and other forms of blood drawing

Venipuncture Knowledge:

Techniques to identify and prepare the intended venipuncture site
Identify sites for arterial venipuncture
Needle insertion and removal techniques
Knowledge of how tourniquets and fist making affect blood collection
Infant/Young Patient blood collection techniques
Adult Patient blood collection techniques
Understand how squeezing and heat affect finger sticks

Phlebotomy Resume Tips

KEXU2000 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:49:02 +0000

Having a good resume can make you stand out when applying for a Phlebotomist job. Your resume should first and foremost be tailored to reflect your skills, education, and work experience. There are two job search scenarios which requires significantly different resumes. The first scenario is when you are new to the Phlebotomy field and trying to get your first Phlebotomist position. The second scenario is if you are an experienced Phlebotomist who is looking for a new position.

New Entrant Resume Tips

If you have just graduated from Phlebotomist training and are looking for your first job, your resume should reflect your educational history and prior work history including internships. You should also list any awards or honors that you have received in school or at work. Please keep in mind that you will be competing for positions against other new graduates or even against experienced Phlebotomists. So beyond these basics, the following additions to your resume can really make a difference:

A good cover letter detailing your interest and enthusiasm for the field of Phlebotomy
Include references from Phlebotomy teachers and instructors that you’ve worked with in the Past
Highlight work or academic experiences where you’ve demonstrated great people skills
Highlight stressful situations where you remained calm and professional and did your job with excellence

Experienced Phlebotomist Resume Tips

As an experienced Phlebotomist, you will be competing against other seasoned workers for high paying positions. Thus, it is important to note that the following work experiences will really make your resume interesting to employers:

If you have taken a supervisory, training, or managerial position, then you have experience leading and coordinating other Phlebotomists. This supervisory knowledge makes you appear more valuable in the eyes of a potential employer.
If you have experience with a variety of different patients. If you are the “go-to” Phlebotomist at your old job that can successfully handle any patient, no matter how stressful, that will make you stand out from the crowd.
If you passed the certification exam in a state where most Phlebotomists are not required to have Certification.
If you have work experience in specialty Phlebotomy skills such as arterial blood drawing for example.
If you have worked for several years with the same company. This is a major plus for many potential employers because it demonstrates that you will not jump ship if they were to hire you.

If you have any of the above mentioned experiences in your old Phlebotomy job, make sure to highlight it in your resume. Additionally, here are some extra tips that should be used to enhance your resume:

Highlight any additional training or workshops that you have done
Provide references from prior Employers, Evaluation Supervisors, and Co-workers
Highlight any awards or honors that you have received as a Phlebotomist
Highlight any of your papers or articles that have been published in any Phlebotomy Magazine or Newsletter. It does not have to be a big article or a nationally recognized magazine. Just the mere presence of such recognition helps you in a big way.

To see the above tips in action, please download the sample Phlebotomist Resume and Coverletter.

Since Phlebotomy is a large and fast growing job market, there is ample room for both new and experienced workers. The tips mentioned in this article should help you get your foot in the door or switch into that higher paying job.

Phlebotomy Job Search Tips

KEXU2000 — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:10:32 +0000

There are many Phlebotomy job openings around the country. Places such as Hospitals, Laboratories, Clinics, and Blood banks may have openings for a Phlebotomist. When searching for a first job as a Phlebotomist, it is important to have some prerequisites that will greatly increase your chances of getting an interview. If you have taken these steps, your chances of standing out from the crowd would be dramatically enhanced.

Phlebotomist Job Search Prerequisites:

You should have a well crafted resume and cover letter
You should have taken the necessary Phlebotomy training courses
You should have passed the certification exam from an accredited Certification Agency

Now when searching for a position, it is important to utilize all the sources available to you to find the best job opening. There are many such resources that you should use to find the best possible Phlebotomist position for you.

Phlebotomist Job Search Sources:

Remember that a job search is a serious endeavor and you should dedicate a great deal of time and efforts towards it. The following sources can be great ways of getting job interviews.

Local Hospital, Clinic, Laboratory Websites
Apply for an Internship position and try to transform the internship into a full time position
Volunteer in a healthcare clinic or hospital and try to transform that role into a full time position
Apply for a part time position and try to transform that role into a full time position
Online Job Boards
Online Job Search Sites such as Indeed.com and Monster.com
Professional Social Networks such as LinkedIn

If you utilize all the resources available to you, then usually you should get some interview opportunities. When you get that interview, be sure to prepare for the interview and keep your training and education in mind. Be sure to dress appropriately and show up promptly. Stay relaxed and composed during the interview and simply do your best! After the interview is done, make sure to send a follow up letter to your interviewer to thank them for taking the time to interview you. If all goes well, you will land that job as a Phlebotomist!

Phlebotomy Courses

KEXU2000 — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:53:19 +0000

Before signing up for Phlebotomy training courses, you should consider both the Phlebotomist training requirements of your state and also the coursework requirements needed by the Phlebotomy Certifying Organization. Different States have varying Phlebotomist requirements, with California, Louisiana, and Nevada having the most rigorous training requirements. Many organizations attempt to certify phlebotomists. However, not all are reputable, teach according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), or are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. Before investing time and money on coursework, make sure that you will be taking an exam from one of the Nationally recognized organizations listed below.

Nationally Recognized Phlebotomy Certification Agencies:

Once you have identified the Certification Agency that you wish to take the exam with, you can then proceed to find a Phlebotomy training program that is accepted by your chosen certification agency. You must make sure that the credits/hours completed in the school’s training course count towards meeting the requirements of the Certifying agency. Furthermore, you should consider finding a college phlebotomy program that offers the best deal in terms of location, commute time, and tuition cost.

While many colleges offer Phlebotomy classes, all of these training programs should cover the following basic areas of knowledge:

Phlebotomy and Lab Practicum

Learn various Venipuncture techniques to draw blood
Learn how to properly find and sterilize puncture sites
Get hands on experience with lab and blood drawing equipment
Learn about errors and complications that can happen when drawing, storing, and transporting blood

Basic Math for the Healthcare field

Conversions between different units of measurements (milliliters to drops, ounces to grams, inches to centimeters…etc)
Techniques for accurate measurements of length, volume, heartbeats….etc

Healthcare Laws and Ethics

Medical Ethics concerning what is legal and what is illegal
Malpractice Insurance laws and common issues
Patients bill of rights and other common medical laws

Basic Anatomy and Physiology

Learn to use microscopes and other standard laboratory equipment
Learn about human organs and the functions of each organ
Learn about the cardiovascular, lymphatic, and immune systems
Learn about the major bones, arteries, and veins that you will be working on
Learn about the constituents of blood, blood cells, various blood types…etc

Microbiology

Learn all about the structure of Bacteria and Viruses
Learn about how infections spread and how to prevent the spread
Learn how to identify different microorganisms
Learn how to document your tests and observations

Phlebotomist Salary and Compensation

KEXU2000 — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:43:33 +0000

A Phlebotomist in the United States can expect a salary range of between $24,000 to $36,000 per year. The median annual salary of a Phlebotomist in the United States is around $29,000. Salaries do not vary too much between Hospitals, Clinics, Labs and other Healthcare facilities. Unlike many jobs requiring similar levels of training, Phlebotomists receive excellent benefits in addition to their salary. Here is the benefits breakdown on the average Phlebotomist position in the United States.

As you can see, in addition to the base salary, a Phlebotomist can expect additional benefits such as healthcare, 401K, Pension, Disability, Time Off and Annual Bonuses. The median total annual compensation for a Phlebotomist is over $45,000 as of 2011.

Regional Differences in Base Salary

The base salary can vary significantly depending on the state that you work in. High paying states include New York, New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Maryland. In these states, the median Phlebotomist base salary is around $33,000 as of 2011.

Salary Increase due to Certification

There is a large difference in salaries between certified and non-certified Phlebotomists. While a phlebotomist do not have to be certified, the median non-certified phlebotomist in the United States has a base annual salary of $24,000. So by getting certified, you can increase your base salary by 25% or more.

Salary Maximization Tips

As the number of Phlebotomy jobs is expected to grow 14% by 2018, the median salary for Phlebotomists should also increase. To maximize your salary, consider doing the following:

If you are not certified, get the certification
Consider moving to High Paying States
Join a professional organization such as the National Phlebotomy Association
Get Continuing Educational training to learn advances in the field of Phlebotomy
Be open to more senior roles such as a Lead Phlebotomist or manager
Learn the necessary techniques to draw blood from even the most difficult patients